Let me preface this by saying that this is not a rallying cry for you to defend me. I whole heartedly appreciate your tendency to do so when the situation warrants it, but this is not one of those moments.
I’d honestly like to hear your opinion. Give it to me straight. I can take it.*
Am I selfishly exploiting my children for my own personal gain?
I’m not talking about the fact that I make them dance on the street corner for quarters. Clearly, that’s just asking them to earn their keep, and no sane person would have a problem with that.
No, I am referring more specifically to the fact that I put pictures of my kids on this here blog. And I don’t use privacy bars or anonymous pseudonyms. My name is Britt, my husband is Jared, our kids are Devin and Emma. And I make no secret about that (mainly because I don’t have the attention span to remember what acronym and nickname I’ve assigned to each of them).
I know there is a fragment of the World of Personal Bloggers that (ironically) clings to the idea of privacy, and views posting pictures of a child online as a violation of that privacy. I also realize that there are some people who see it less from a privacy standpoint and more as a security threat (Oh NOES! the Internetz wants to steal your babies!).
I can understand that. Really. I don’t see NOT posting your picture – or pictures of your children – as a sign of anything ominous or shameful or negative in any way. If the idea of putting real life photos up on your blog makes you squeamish… then don’t. I make no judgments about you based on that. (Unless you’re mean. Then I will tell everyone it’s because you’re moley and ugly and ashamed of your hideous back acne. Because I am mature.)
But does it make you think less of me when I occasionally include pictures of my kids here?
Do you look at a post that is intended to be just another example of me sharing the very real details of my life with you, and see a mother who has no regard for the interests of her children?
Do you see a blog with kid pictures and ads and categorize the blogger as “whoring” or “exploiting” her children?
Honestly, I’d like to know.
I (obviously) don’t think there’s anything wrong with including pictures on your blog if it makes sense to do so. And here? Can you really imagine me trying to pretend that I’m letting you into my life without sharing with you the most important people in that life?
And yes, that’s what I’m doing – letting you into my life.
I realize that not everyone can do that. I understand that some people have different kinds of boundaries than I do. I can even accept that for some people they cannot begin to understand what would motivate me to be so forthcoming about my life. The “not understanding” I get.
But I have to be honest and tell you that it pisses me off when people assume that there is something wrong with me because I don’t need the buffer of privacy. That’s not “not understanding” – that’s putting harsh judgments on someone simply because they are different from you. That’s not anymore OK than it would be for me to assume that the reason some people are less “let it all hang out” is because they are ashamed of themselves – or whatever.
(And let me be clear – that is NOT what I’m saying. I’m saying if it’s OK for you to be all private because that’s what you’re comfortable with, then it’s just as OK for me to be less private if that falls within MY comfort zone.)
Are you following me? Has this dissolved into a completely incoherent rambling mess where some of my hot buttons and insecurities are peeking through?
Forgive me. Let’s break it down to the simplest terms.
What I want to know is:
Alright, come on. Discuss. Don’t be scared. What are your thoughts?
*We all know this is a lie. I handle criticism as well as a diabetic handles chocolate covered twinkies. But one bite won’t kill me, right?
Your kids are a part of your life. This blog is a blog of your life. It would seem strange if they weren’t a part of it.
Now, Jared? You’re definitely exploiting him for your own personal gain.
I know you don’t want to be defended but if someone actually said these things to you, I will so kick some ass
That being said, I think there is NO issue with you posting pictures of your kids here. This is YOUR blog and whatever happens here needs to be okay with YOU.
Here are my other answers:
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
I love them and am a total whore for pictures!
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
.
Not if they’re your own kids. If someone starts willy nilly just posting pictures of keeds well uh…cuhreeepy
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
I think they’re fine! I’m on the fringe of the “Mommies and Daddies who blog” set so I must just be used to seeing kids pictures and not thinking there is anything wrong with it!
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
This is going to sound awful of me and I must preface it by saying that I know some people don’t post any pics due to extreme privacy issues. That being said, people who hide behind cartoon avatars and call people out for the way they look? I hate those people and judge that they are fat and ugly behind the screen. (in case anyone gets mad at me, *I* am fat so am allowed to say that!)
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
Nah. I don’t exactly love blog advertising but ignore it just like I should so it never factors in when thinking about the kids pics.
Hilly’s last blog post..A Very Snackie Valentine: Self-Love Day 2008!
Britt, I don’t think you’re exploiting anyone in your family. Well, except Avitable…and he likes a good exploiting once in awhile.
Seriously, I don’t think you are doing anything wrong. You write about your life….your kids and hubby are in your life.
I don’t have pics of me on my bog because it is my deep, dark secret blog, becaue I am so a Miss Mary Sunshine in real life, and cater to a lot of what people want me to be. My blog is my outlet for thingsI need to say. I think that it depends on what YOU are comfortable with, and not what anyone else wants. Your blog simply rocks. :rock:
Stephanie’s last blog post..Only the sickest will get this….
Hilly, I promise I’m not fat (not anymore, anyway!) and I’m not ugly….but I am hiding from people IRL. But I understand what you are saying.
Stephanie’s last blog post..Only the sickest will get this….
I’m fine with pictures of people on my blog, but only if they are people who don’t mind being there.
That’s up to the parents. If they were okay with their kids pictures being on the internet, then that’s cool with me.
I think it’s perfectly fine… so long as the people in question don’t mind being there and the parents of the kids don’t mind them being there.
I like pictures on a blog, because it helps me to identify with the writer better.
Nope.
It worries when I see people with kids using real names. Especially when they add their last name and location to the mix. But then again, it scares me that Fab has his name and address on his sidebar!
I used my sons’ real names on my blog until some fucktard started commenting on blogs in my blogroll with our address to go along with those names. At the time my son was six and walking to and from school. I was worried someone with his real name would be able to convince him to get in their vehicle. That’s why my kids have fake names.
Pictures? what is a blog about life without pictures? and how on earth do the side bar ads exploit them? When a company sends me 150 bucks of educational toys for my kids to review, I don’t feel like I am exploiting my kids, and thats a whole lot more invasive than a few ads in a side bar!
When I see pictures of other peoples kids on their blogs, the first thing I do is look at their socks. I cannot keep my boys’ socks clean and it makes me feel better when I see grungy socks on kids. Then I compare their kids cuteness with mine (the list goes on)…plus there are SO many posts that are totally useless without a picture!
If a blogger shares pictures with the internet I make the assumption that they have a camera. (srsly)
did I cover all the bullets?
I don’t think there is anything wrong with what you are doing at all, and it’s a refreshing change of pace to have someone NOT use psuedonyms or blur out faces. I love that you share your photos, and you’ve got such a photogenic family (how’s that for the suckin’ up? :rock: ). Now if Jared had an issue with it then there’s someone you need to listen to: everyone else can go suffer in their jocks.
Er, do I still need to answer each question? :heartbeat:
Dee’s last blog post..Like a Tiger *grrrrrrr*
* How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
I post pictures of people and animals and other things that I love on my blog. I do this because they are a part of my life, and like you, I invite people into my life when I write. There is one person that you will (probably) never see a current picture of on my blog- Me.(I did post one picture of myself on my blog, and I have one on my facebook account for those that are my friends, but that is it.) I have a reason for this, unfortunately.
I am a former victim of domestic violence, and my abuser still (five years and numerous warrants later) has not been located and arrested. I had to be moved with police protection from state to state because he kept finding me in the DV shelters that I was placed in. For a while, my hair was dyed a different color and my eye color was changed thanks to color-change contacts, but there is only so much that can be done without surgery, and he always recognized me.
In addition, because of the ways that he was finding me, my name and social security number were changed. Angelica is my legal name now, but it has not always been my name. I will never disclose my former name, and I will not post current photos of myself for this reason. I am hopeful that someday he will be arrested and sentenced for what he has done, and I will be able to quit looking over my shoulder. For now, I can’t.
* Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
No. I would post pictures of my children on my blog in appropriate situations, if I had children. (Hopefully someday I will!!) I think that any mother or father that is proud of his or her children would want to share them (or adorable things that they do and say) with those around them.
* How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
I don’t have a problem with seeing pictures of children or spouses, friends, relatives on other people’s blogs, as long as the pictures belong to the owner of the blog, or the blog owner has permission to use someone else’s pictures. (I have been receiving e-mail about people stealing pictures of people’s kids off of flickr for advertising purposes).
To me, it’s the same as striking up a conversation with someone you meet in public. (In line at the bank, grocery,waiting on your car when you get your oil changed, sometimes even the doctor’s office.) One thing leads to another, and before you know it, both women have their wallets out showing each other pictures of their children and/or grandchildren. I see nothing wrong with it.
* What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
I try not to assume anything about anyone. I don’t know their situation, so it isn’t fair for me to judge someone based on whether or not they post photos. Everyone has a reason for the things that they do. It’s a personal choice in my opinion, and no one should be attacked for making a choice like this.
I will say, however, that I do have a problem with those who do not post photos of themselves or their family, but will degrade someone else based on their appearance in photos. It is pretty fucking cowardly to hide behind the thin veil of a computer screen and judge others, but not put yourself out there to be judged in the same manner. Who has the right to judge anyone else?
* Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
Not at all. As with the photos, the choice to display ads (or not to display ads) is a personal one. If I like your style of writing, I’ll visit whether there are ads or not.
Angel’s last blog post..What’s Your Slogan?
As long as your not being a total mommy blogger I think it’s okay to post pics of your kids. Mommy bloggers annoy the hell outta me though.
I don’t really care if somebody is an anonymous blogger or is totally open. Except for one person who keeps nagging me to answer her questions about me. She’s totally anonymous and she wants me to tell her all about me. No freaking way. She won’t even post her email address or email me to ask her silly questions.
But, you don’t want to hear about my problems.
Anyway, as long as they’re your kids and you aren’t holding them up to ridicule then what’s the big deal?
Jay’s last blog post..Wanna Go To Da Mall?
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog? When I first started my blog, I posed birthday posts to my kids and used pictures of them. I didn’t see anything wrong with it. UNTIL an attorney in my office found my blog (which he had to jump through hoops to find because I don’t use our real names and I sure in the hell didn’t go to work bragging about blogging). Anyway, I felt sort of violated, yet, at the same time, I couldn’t really feel violated because it was ME who put the blog out there. If that even makes sense. So, I moved blogs because I was freaked out that he was reading about my sex life and relationships – which I actually keep private at work. I know, weird.
Anyway, if I could figure out that goddamn private post thing again, I’d put pics of my kids up. And probably my dogs too. My biggest fear is that my family will find my blog. They do not know it exists and would be truly hurt if they read the words that I am able to write, because I can be brutally honest there, and I don’t want that because even though getting the words out in the open might help, I would feel like shit if I hurt someone’s feelings. Even if they are a selfish twat. Plus I’m a big fat chicken shit and I just know that after law school, when I am a well known, highly paid lawyer, some asshole will find my blog and use it against me. Because people are fuckers.
Does that change if we’re talking about kids? See above. Unless you start putting up pics of them nekkid or picking their butts or videos of them farting and stuff. Then I might object.
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog? I am a little bit jealous because those people do not live in the land of fear and intrusion like I do. They have a freedom that I do not.
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures? None. Personally, even though I’m stingy, I like them.
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix? No. I have ads. We should all have a piece of the pie. I just wish I had more than 16 hits a day.
usedtobeme’s last blog post..What’s eating you?
I frequently post pictures of my kids, my husband, myself, and once my crazy ass neighbor on my blog. The only time I hesitate is with my boy’s friends. I never post photos of kids other than my own without their parent’s permission. I really don’t see it any different from my child’s picture being in the newspaper . . . except then the freaks know exactly what town I live in.
I really couldn’t go through and name what blogs do or don’t post pics of their children . . . unless they’ve posted about it in one way or another. I don’t think about it that much (unless they have a really ugly kid and that kind of sucks, but probably is irrelevant).
Nor do I think one way or the other about the blogs with ads. These occasional BlogHer checks are nice . . . but lets face it, no one is getting filthy rich with them. If someone’s aim is to exploit their kids, I’m sure there are more lucrative means.
Honeybell’s last blog post..Recipe Time!
Hmmm…photos of people on my blog? if it’s me, it’s my call. if it’s someone else, i ask their permission first.
kids? only my own. only occasionally, never naked, and i usually pull them down after a week or so because people are freaks and the search terms you see are disgusting.
others? well, i see it as their business, and i hope like hell that a photo doesn’t show up of me unless i say it’s okay. but, in as much as it’s their business, they also need to be able to live with whatever consequences arise.
assumptions? well, blogs aren’t as fun without photos, IMO. and, it’s fun to see who the blogger is. i think lots of photos of anyone whether on their blog or in their house is obnoxious as shit.
adverts? not really thought of it. i guess my feeling is that your kids, family, and friends should come before the blog, and their feelings should be respected.
thas all i got.
damn! i didn’t mean to be anon!! freaking touch pad on the laptop… that’s me! up there!
* How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
I post pics all the time. I’ve been pretty careful–because of my profession–to keep my name off my blog but my pics are there. I have a different avatar on Yahoo–it’s my pic rather than the TurnbabyTalks image.
* Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
Nope–the only kid images I would post would be ok’d by their ‘rents ahead of time. And your kid pics are cool.
* How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
People–no worries. Kids–cool when appropriate to the post. I’m not a fan of blogs that put children on a pedestal beyond all else. That’s one reason I like your blog. You are ‘normal’ about your children—they are adorable and you admit they drive you bonkers sometimes.
* What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
I have a dear blogging friend who has never shared a picture–even in a closed confidential setting–in two years of knowing this person. I accept that because this friend needs to be this way. This friend has exhibited great kindness and knowledge and I respect this friend very much.
However I take great offense to bloggers who hide behind a veil of anonymity yet make fun of others looks etc.
* Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
No
turnbaby’s last blog post..Love, Actually
Privacy is a weird issue when it comes to the internet. I believe that this is your blog and you can do with you want with it. I used to hide who I was, never showing pictures until I just finally said enough. Most people who read my blog know my name but I don’t advertise it, and most know which country I live in and which city but my address and phone number are hidden and I actually can’t find them on the net when I search.
I feel differently when it comes to children. Since I don’t have any I can’t say exactly how I would handle it but I personally don’t think I would put pictures of my children on my blog, just for safety reasons. But that is me. I can take care of myself, my “kids” can’t.
Advertisements, hey, we all gotta make a buck right? I don’t do it just because I don’t have the traffic to do it, but if I did, I would put a banner or two on mine just to hopefully pay for my hosting.
DaDuck’s last blog post..Lookie whats I gots
“How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?”
It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I suppose if someone told me they didn’t want their photo on the blog then i wouldn’t use it.
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
I don’t think I’d put pictures up featuring kids that weren’t my own, but other than that I’m fine with it. i’ve worked with enough people who have been sexually abused to realize that its not strangers I need to be worrying about, it’s people the kids know.
Saying that, I wouldn’t put a picture of my kids naked on the net.
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
I’m an unashamed daddyblogger so it’s part and parcel of it all in the circles I run in. To be honest I get a bit tired of all the pseudonyms people use for their kids. It puts a barrier up somehow.
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
If I was aware that someone had a deliberate no picture policy I’d think them a little paranoid, but wouldn’t think anything less of them as a person.
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
Nope. Unless the advertising is sexually inappropriate or something.
Dan’s last blog post..Love letters
Honey, we go through so much pain and suffering bearing and raising children, it’s only right we get a laugh at their expense from time to time.
If this means posting pictures of them, then “the more, the better”, I say.
Antipodéesse’s last blog post..Dearest Queen of Distended Bum Flaps,
Yes, I’ll use pictures of children on my blog (mostly grandchildren). No naked pictures, or anything a perv might enjoy (pictures showing undies, etc.). I use first names, but not last, and try not to use the name of my town (although a good sleuth could figure it out).
If nobody ever put pictures of children in their blogs, it would certainly take a lot of the joy away from reading blogs.
Donna W’s last blog post..Happy Valentine’s Day
Everything has been pretty much been said already. Here is my two cents.
Pictures enhance every blog. And you should use them.
The fact you chose pictures of your kids does not change that.
Having ads on your blog doesn’t me you are exploiting you kids.
Lastly my advice is to be smart about what you do. Do simple things to protect your privacy. The truth is if anyone wants to find you they can. Regardless of how you protect yourself. Do thinks like register your domain with privacy protection etc.
Otherwise keep posting the pictures you like and enjoy your blog. If anyone doesn’t like it then they can go someplace else.
Topncal’s last blog post..Speed Up Your WordPress Blog with Gravatars
I, too, use real names and have lots and lots of pictures of myself and family plastered all over my blog. Because I’m all about the attention. I don’t have any kids, but if I did, I’d probably post pictures of them, too. I do only post pictures of people I know don’t mind, because I know some people can be quite paranoid about the idea that *gasp* someone they don’t know might see a picture of them! I don’t particularly understand that view, but I will respect it and not post pictures of friends who haven’t expressly said they don’t care.
As for other bloggers sharing pictures: no, I don’t judge them at all for doing it, and I think it’s only natural to want to show people pictures of your kids. When bloggers have a “no picture” policy, then my thoughts would be the same as Dan’s – I’d perhaps wonder a little about what caused the paranoia, but it wouldn’t particularly bother me.
And no, the presence of advertising wouldn’t change my mind one bit.
Amber’s last blog post..The One Where I Am Deformed
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
love, love, love photos. makes the blogger more real to me. i am addicted to several blogs, but the first ones i go to have photos: jester, avi, britt, fabby, killer. if you feel safe enough to do it, i am gonna enjoy it.
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
i absolutely do not think you are exploiting the kids. they are a part of your life and you are proud of them. if you didn’t put the photos up i would understand why, but i enjoy the photos.
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
:heartbeat:
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
just that they desire provacy for some reason, which is fine. maybe they, like me, don’t want family, friends and coworkers to know that what they write is theirs. hell, i don’t have a blog coz i don’t want those that know me to read what i would write!
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
hell no.
britt, i personally feel that you are doing nothing wrong. i would hope that you teach the children about strangers, but that would be even if we didn’t know your kids names and what they looked like. ALL parents need to teach kids that they shouldn’t go with someone just because the adult has a puppy or candy or knows their name. i love that you care what we think, but you are a wise momma bear and are doing a fine job of raising those beautiful kids. blog on!
jay, why do you hate mommy bloggers so much? just don’t read their posts. a blog is for whatever someone wants it to be…rants, work, sunshine and rainbows, school, kids, pets, whatever. i don’t understand the hate for mommy bloggers. we sit here and all tell britt to do what she wants with her blog, yet pass judgement on what someone else does with her blog. makes no sense to me…
:wtf:
I enjoy the photos – it gives me a better picture of who the blogger is. I see nothing wrong with it at all and feel it enhances a blog. There are also some incredibly gifted pgotographers out there whose use of photography is just as powerful as their words. In the end, it becomes a bit of an art form and a very expressive way of sharing our lives and experiences.
Selma’s last blog post..The Great Cleaning Caper
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
I would put pictures on my blog if I had pictures! You see I blog at work and my pictures are mostly at home. I see NOTHING wrong with that!
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
In my case, I am concerned that perhaps PSYCHO may find my blog one day, but I have linked our family website up on my blog…….
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
I love seeing pics of other people’s kids. It make me feel like I am getting to now my bloggy friends on a more personal level.
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
I make no assumptions. I do however think it’s odd of people to join a scrapbooking board to “showcase” their work, yet they scratch the faces off all their people when posting! That’s a bit off to me!
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
I like your blog jsut the way it is and I love seeing pics of the kids and the advertising, I just don’t pay much attention!
Kristin’s last blog post..Happy Valentines Day
It’s funny that you posted this today because lately I’ve been thinking about the so called privacy that people think exist on the net.
In reality, it doesn’t exist. At any time someone could expose you. I have bloggers on my Facebook which shows my real name, husband’s name, etc.
I haven’t included pictures of my daughter nor do I use her name or my husband’s name on my blog. Well, not in a very long time anyway.
I think that if you’re going to have a personal diary of your life on the net, you will either be up front about your life from the getgo, or try to hide it and eventually be exposed.
I haven’t told my family about my blog, nor my “real life” friends. I plan to keep it that way if I can.
I see nothing wrong with your blog or the content. It’s your choice. If someone doesn’t like it, well they don’t have to read!
I don’t really have a feeling about pictures of people on my blog. If it fits it’s OK and it doesn’t change with kids. That said I could have the most popular blog on earth if I started putting up pictures of my grand daughter Emma but her Mom says no so that’s that… I remain locked in obscurity. I don’t care what other people do with their blogs, ads or not.
avitable: well, yeah – but that’s what marriage is for.
Hilly: no one said those things to me. Honestly.
I think the assumptions you make about why someone doesn’t post pictures can change depending on how they write too. You can tell with some people (Angel for example) that it’s something else.
Stephanie: I can understand that. With my first blog, I just assumed no one would ever find it because who the hell would even be looking!?!
Yeah, that was pretty naive. Now I just try to accept the fact that what I put here can be read and interpreted by anyone.
Dave2: I like to run around playgrounds and take pictures of kids and post them here like they are mine. My real kids are hideously ugly.
I kid, I kid. I would never post pictures of anyone that didn’t know and was OK with it.
bluepaintred: I think you did cover them all. I think if someone really wanted to find me – they could. Whether I used our names or not. Although, I also assume I’d be fairly hard to actually find. Maybe that’s unrealistic.
Dee: I asked Jared if he thought I was exploiting the kids. He said “that’s dumb, are child actors being exploited?” :banghead:
I’m not sure his opinion can be trusted. LOL
Angel: I hate that you have to be so careful and that you have that past. That’s just not fair.
You know what’s funny? I never have pictures of my kids in my wallet.
Jay: yeah, I’m not all about getting personal with someone who won’t do the same.
usedtobeme: you know – maybe that’s it. Regardless of who I worked for, I’m a pretty open person. Obviously I don’t sit and discuss my sex life in a professional environment – but that’s because it’s inappropriate. If I had a boss who found my blog I think my attitude would be “um, yeah… what? you didn’t think I had a life outside of work?”
But I realize most people have filters that I don’t.
Honeybell: yeah, I have pictures of other people’s kids and other family members that I would love, love, love to post – but I don’t because THAT is not my call.
liv: you remember to pull pictures down? That’s impressive. I am far too distracted for that.
turnbaby: you are awesome. You know that, right?
DaDuck: I’m all about free hosting (that’s my goal too!)
Dan: I do actually draw the line at naked. There are so many times the kids are running around in their underwear or do something goofy in the tub and they make for hysterical pictures – but even I know THAT is too far.
LOOK! I have a boundary! YAY!
Antipodéesse: excellent point, LOL
Donna W: I don’t think I use our last name, or my town name. In fact, I know once I had Adam edit a comment because it had the actual town.
Topncal: oh! hey! I think that secret registration thing is something I actually did!
Amber: I need to get permission slips from more family members…
hellohahanarf: you are so uber non judgmental, it’s amazing. And awesome.
I think what Jay is saying is that he wouldn’t READ those blogs – rather than he hates the person.
I think that’s a distinction people don’t make often enough.
Selma: oh yeah, I would KILL to take pictures like some of these people. It’s better than the writing some times.
Kristin: I meant to ask you… does your family know about your blog??
Jen: I’m OK with someone not reading because they don’t enjoy it. Obviously.
What surprises me is the personal judgments about ME (not my BLOG) that people can make based on putting pictures up or not.
RW: you’re obscure?
Pfft.
Your blog – your business. End of story.
You are a good mom so it’s your judgement call to make.
But, then you knew I was going to say that, didn’t you? :heartbeat:
Amy’s last blog post..You Can’t Make This Up!
That’s the thing about you. Even if you knew it was guaranteed to make you queen of the blogworld, you wouldn’t exploit your kids for that. Everyone else around you, yes. But never your kids.
*How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
As long as the adult has given me permission or knows I’m going to post it, I’m OK with it. I didn’t post pictures of my nephews, because my brother did not give me permission to do so.
*Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
Not really, only when I have permission will I post the pictures of other people and/or their children.
*How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
I like looking into the lives of other people and I see no problem with you or anyone else, for that matter, posting pictures of your family. They are the loves of your life and if you feel like sharing them with us, I’m game for looking at them
*What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
I don’t make assumptions at all. Whether someone shares pictures or not. I have my Flickr badge up on my blog and I sometimes post pics of me and/or my dogs. It’s a matter of choice. I make my choice, you make yours. Nothing wrong with either one.
*Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
Obviously, no, my opinions do not change with the ads on the sidebars.
Oh. There’s advertising on this blog? I didn’t notice
We all have to do what is right for us. If posting about your family and posting pictures of your family is the right thing for you to do, don’t let anyone belittle or degrade that. YOU know who you are and you know who your family is. This blog is for YOU not us, the readers.
Sodapop’s last blog post..Just a bunch of jibberish
I don’t get the whole selling out, whoring and expoliting kids tangent you have been on. I see nothing wrong with pictures of your kids, real names our whatever the hell else you want to throw out there.
It isn’t like your address is up for grabs.
I realize that you are a very open, some might say the opposite of introverted individual, there is nothign wrong with that!
I put pictures of my family up, I just use different names, so a search by someone we know won’t bring all my writings to the surface!
debkitty’s last blog post..No my Husband Doesn’t Read This
OK. I was thinking about this last night after I read it and I think what is needed here is a good reality check from the pages of antiquity, i.e., before the Internet was the big deal it is today.
I take you back to the days of newspapers, and columnists, which is my closest analogy to blogging of today.
My favorite columnist ever was Rob Borsini of the Des Moines Register, who was married to another columnist, Reka Basu or something like that. And he discussed his personal life, including his wife and family, and no one ever thought anything of the fact that omigodhesputtinghisrealnameoutthereandhiswifeandkidsandwhataboutprivacy. And as an aside, the newspaper was full of advertising.
I mean, I don’t know. Maybe he got hate mail, and maybe someone accosted him and his family at a mall someday about something he’d written. I don’t know. If he did, I missed that column.
He died of Lou Gehrig’s disease, and his readers kind of felt they went through that journey with them from diagnosis to death.
I think, give people a chance. Yes, there are scary people out there, but we all use common sense self defense and protection tactics, bloggers or not, kids or not.
But by and large, you’re connecting with people as YOU, baby. Which means all the parts of you.
Britt’s Mom’s last blog post..I Don’t Want to Miss This
OK I don’t have anything to add to all of the other wonderfully worded posts.
YOUR blog, YOUR rules!
If someone doesn’t like it then they shouldn’t read it. They don’t have to.
Unless of course you are holding them against their will, strapped into a chair in front of the monitor reading it out loud to them and forcing them to look at all the pictures. Then maybe that would be bad.
I don’t think you are exploiting anybody for your own personal gain, like you said…you just have different boundaries. I don’t have kids, so I can’t say how I would feel about me posting their pictures. I have pictures of myself and my friends and some family on my blog, but if anybody were to ask me to not put their picture up because they weren’t comfortable, I wouldn’t do it.
I see nothing wrong with posting pictures on a blog. Unless you are completely naked, then that’s just weird. Your half nakedness is just fine.
By the way, I LOVE the new blog design – which is only new to me because I haven’t gotten your page to load in FOREVER. Love the dialup, love it.
Sarcastica’s last blog post..Bleeding from the inside out
Good Morning Britt, I post pictures of my family on my blog and use real names too. I don’t mind other people using fake names for their family members it just when they come up with the crazy ass names like “my choo choo train” for their better half or something like that- that kinda annoys me but if they have something to say, I will usually read on. I think the point of blogging is staying true to who you are – this is your place to be totally YOU and if YOU want to share family pics and real names, then that is your choice.
But back to your questions:
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
I put my own family pics up – I see nothing wrong with it. I think putting pictures up brings what you have to say “to life” – does that make sense?
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
Again, pictures make your life more real to me. (when I say your I don’t me just you, I mean every blogger)
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
If the parent gave the ok, then I don’t see a problem. For example, if Adam took a picture of your kids doing something cute while he was babysitting and wanted to put that on his blog, I don’t see a problem with it.
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
I like photos- if a blogger is willing to share photos, I’m more willing to visit said blog again.
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
I could care less if some does some advertising on his/her blog. If you can make some extra cash by having a hobby- while isn’t that as close to perfect as you can get. If I make arts and crafts stuff on the side as a hobby and sell them on ebay how is that different than having a blog with some ads? Both are a hobby that hopefully will make some money- is there something wrong with trying to make some money from your hobby?
Janelle’s last blog post..‘Hope Floats’ for Today
Oh yeah, I didn’t mean to say that all people that don’t post pictures are that way at all! Some people just need their privacy, but like Dave said, I like to know what people look like because it better helps me identify with them.
I guess I really only had certain people in mind with the rude comment I made…sorry about that
.
Hilly’s last blog post..A Very Snackie Valentine: Self-Love Day 2008!
speaking of photos…if you want to post new photos of avitable’s balls or something, i still won’t complain.
i have issues, i know.
:help:
My eyes are glazing over at the length of these responses. No offense everyone, I just don’t have time to read them!
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
As long as they are GOOD pictures, I’m all for it.
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
Not if it’s my own kid. But the pictures still have to be GOOD.
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
Again, the pictures have to be GOOD.
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
I never assume, but I were to assume, I’d assume they feel comfortable sharing those pictures regardless of whether or not they’re GOOD. And that’s… OK.
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
No.
Finn’s last blog post..Friday Freewrite Four
First of all, I just want to say that I skipped reading any comments because I wanted to include my opinions without reading anyone else’s first. I’ll go back and read once I am through.
With that said… Here are my answers.
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
I personally love pictures. I feel like I cannot share my life through my blog without sharing my family.
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
Not for me.
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
If I am a regular reader of a blog I like to see their family and that most certainly includes their children. Although if they have issues with privacy, they can put their pictures behind private posts. I make my Flickr photos of the kids private to my contacts but my blog which get’s much less traffic, I share.
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
I’ve never really thought of it actually. To each his own, I guess. Share or not.
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
I tune advertising out, actually. So I have no opinion on this.
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
As long as the people in the pictures are OK with it, I’m OK with it. If others aren’t OK with it, then fuck them. My blog isn’t their blog.
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
No, I’m cool with kids pictures of my kids on my blog. The blog is about me and my kids are part of me. Therefore, their pictures will be on my blog. Pictures of other kids are cool as long as I have permission from their parents.
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
As long as the owners of said blogs are OK with it, then go for it. Again, it’s their space on the Web, not mine.
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
If there are pictures/names versus no pictures/no names or pictures/pseudonyms, it establishes for me how private the blogger is about their personal lives/information and if they want to use pseudonyms, then I will respect that and not mention real names, if I know them, in my comments.
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
No. I don’t think a blogger is exploiting their children if they use their children’s pictures and have ads. The definition of child exploitation on a blog for me would be if I sold a kids’ clothing line, for example, and had pictures of my kids modeling said clothes with a link to said clothing line Web site in my sidebar. That would be cheesy and exploitative.
Whew. Do what ya want, gurlfriend! Fuck ‘em!
Coal Miner’s Granddaughter’s last blog post..I Think I Need a Slice of Pi
I post pictures of my grandkids. I have both mothers permission. I post pictures of Not A Grampy, I don’t need his permission. I post pictures of my dog because he is so cute!!
I won’t post pictures of friends, etc. without their permission.
I rarely pay attention to any ads anyway. See, I am odd that way. So, I had to actually look to see that you had ads, I’m such a ditz.
I do not understand when people think because you don’t share the same opinion of something you are less than human to them. I think it is annoying when I don’t think something is funny and someone who doesn’t know me or know anything about me makes the judgement that I am a humorless, uptight asshole. So I understand what you are saying. I think that what you do on your blog is up to you and I don’t judge you in anyway. I still come back and read over and over. If someone has a problem with something that you are doing on your blog, they have the option of not reading. It is not okay for them to tear you apart over it. If they do, it’s on them, not you. It’s their problem.
Shelli’s last blog post..Love It; Hate It
I had another blog in a land far away on which I posted pictures of myself and my children. I do not post pictures of anyone on my current blog because I’ve not told real life family and friends about the blog at all, so am trying to keep things like *what I look like* private. If your blog is wide-open then I see no reason you shouldn’t post pictures of yourself and your children. I do not consider that exploitation even if you have advertisements on your blog. This blog is about you and your life, so obviously your children are a big part of that.
Em’s last blog post..Happy V-day!
Honestly, I have no problem with anyone putting pictures of their family on their blog. I actually like it, and welcome it. If you have a PPP or whatever on your blog and you also happen to post pictures of your kids, you, and your husband as well then who cares??? It isn’t like you are doing anything illegal….
I used to put pictures on my old blog, but I have BS going on in my life (that includes my son) so I am not going to do that and jepordize our lives. That is why I use a pseudonym, not because I care if someone knows exactly who I am, but because I can’t risk it at this time…. Probably also why most of my posts have been kinda lame….
Anyhoo, I vote for keeping up what you have going on. It works for you and your family.
themuttprincess’s last blog post..Day 3 of being thankful.
I would love to put more pictures of my family on my blog. I don’t mind seeing children on other family-like blogs. I assume that others are pretty handy with a camera. As far as ads go…well they are just a part of the web aren’t they? I thought everyone had them.
I find that it depends on the amount of information that’s given out. It worries me when people post pictures of their children AND their names AND where they live AND what they do (and any number of other factors, like where they hang out or where they go to school or where they work or how much money they make…) It seems to me like it opens you up to invasions of personal space by people you don’t necessarily know.
Someone mentioned newspaper columnists and I can relate to that. My grandfather was a columnist and he used to be too free with personal information about his family, to the point where my mother had to tell him that it was NOT okay for him to write about “My daughter, [name], who lives on [street] in [city].” He got the point and started being more careful.
It’s not any one factor that concerns me, it’s the combination of so many factors. I’m a worrier and I often think up worst-case scenarios. If someone knows too many details about you, what’s stopping them from showing up at your kid’s school and saying “Britt asked me to pick Emma up today because she’s working late with Adam.” Hopefully your kids are smart and careful enough to know better than to go with someone they don’t know well, but how much convincing would it really take?
I think that part of my issue with people posting photos of their children is that they don’t usually get a say in it. How is your kid going to feel when s/he’s a teenager and one of his/her friends finds stories and pictures that couldn’t possibly be someone else? They cannot give consent and even if they do, can they really understand what that means?
I don’t think that, for most people, it’s exploitative. I also don’t think that it’s going to be harmful or dangerous *in most cases*, but you’re opening yourself up to dangers that DO exist and, worse, you’re opening your kids up to that.
To go back to my grandfather, before he was a columnist, he was a reporter and he investigated some serious corruption going on in a Connecticut police force in the 1960′s. His children were threatened because of this. Threats were made on his children’s lives and both parents lived in fear that their children would be kidnapped or harmed on their way home from school. This wasn’t information that was MADE public, it was information that was investigated and found out, but considering how upset people get over random and benign things, why make it EASY for people to make viable threats on your children because they didn’t like what you had to say?
It comes from a place of concern, not a place of judgement. Concern for the well-being of the family who has not made the choice to live a semi-public life and who may bear consequences that are, not only unintended, but undiscussed, unthought of or dismissed.
FyreGoddess’s last blog post..Vacation in a nutshell
Amy: I think that bit about me being a good mom is an important one. I think that gives me the right to make some decisions for my kids.
avitable: oh yeah, of course, never!
(But why do you say that? Do you think it would?? Like how – specifically? Just.. um… out of curiosity… of course…)
Sodapop: I think, in my case, it’s for me AND the readers. If it was just for me, I’d probably use a diary.
Thanks for your input!
debkitty: I have been showing my insecurities a bit, haven’t I? And, more to the point, have been hung up on a specific group of insecurities.
Fuck, I need to get over that.
Britt’s Mom: I love you, you know that?
pnbzmom: I was going to say (again) that it’s not the not reading that doesn’t bother me, it’s the assumptions and labeling about me personally.
But you know what? I just realized, I do the same exact thing.
I need to either stop it myself, or accept it when someone else does it to me.
Sarcastica: *searching through archives for half nakednes…* :wtf: :dunno:
Janelle: I will admit, some people have really elaborate psuedonyms/acronyms and it’s very distracting. Hell, I tried to do it myself once and made it through about half a post before I forgot what names were supposed to be used for who!
Hilly: no, no, I know what you meant. I was just elaborating that some people use anonymity for privacy, comfort, etc. – and some people use it as an excuse to be vile and hateful and behave in a way they would never behave if they weren’t anonymous.
And I was saying that I think you can tell when you’re reading an anonymous person which category they fall into.
hellohahanarf: I would email you my collection – but I make a habit of deleting them as quickly as he sends them to me.
Finn: GOOD pictures?
Shit.
Why in God’s name do you come back here?!?!?! (I’m glad that you do, btw)
Peggy: I don’t think anyone pays attention to my Flickr. My own family doesn’t notice when I post new pictures of the kids there. LOL
CMG: I love how live and let live you are.
Trishk: you’re not a ditz! You’re the American Majority.
Shelli: you get your little feathers ruffled just like me. :heartbeat:
Em: I haven’t told most of my family – aside from my mom and my little brothers – about my blog. But I don’t think the rest of them would even know what a blog was, so I don’t stress about it too badly.
themuttprincess: yeah, I know I am fortunate not to have to deal with the crap you’re going through right now. That definitely makes a difference.
tallyho: I am amazed at what some people can do with a camera.
FyreGoddess: I could give 15 examples of how some of the scenarios you’re describing could happen whether I was on the Internet or didn’t own a computer.
But I won’t, because I can’t live like that – in fear of all of the things that could go wrong. It’s not out of lack of concern for my kids’ safety either. There are plenty of safety measures in place to keep them safe.
And realistic? All of those could still fail and something horrible could happen.
I hope that it doesn’t, and I’m not going to wait for it to.
As far as the “how would your kids feel”?
Embarrassed. Pissed. Much like I was when my mom would confide in her friends about why I was grounded. Or how I felt when my parents put that god awful fucking picture of me up at Christmas every year.
I guess my thoughts on that are “big deal”. I’m not TRYING to hurt them or embarrass them – but if they get their panties in a bunch as they inevitably will about EVERYTHING I do once they reach a certain age… well, they’ll have plenty of company at the My Parents Made A Fool Of Me table.
I’m a good mother. And I’m a smart woman. I would hope anyone who knows me would see that. And they would assume that AS a good mother, I’ve considered things like my children’s safety and made the decisions that makes sense for us.
Wow it took me half an hour just to get to the bottom of the comments!
Ok here’s my 2 penneth (ye olde englishe saying);
I CHOOSE not to use my kids real names or post pictures of them. I’m not about to defend my reasons for that, any more than you should have to defend the reasons why you CHOOSE to blog in the way that you do. We all have the right to choose and we can all click that little red X anytime we like
Penelope’s last blog post..Happy bloody Thursday!
I have encountered a couple freaks through my low traffic blog and because of that I use nicknames and not real names. My real name would make it way too easy to find me. Some of those freak stalkers are a bit scary for my liking.
That being said, I only remain semi-anonymous because I do post photos of myself and my son. But anyone else who is pictured on my blog is asked if I can use the photo (ok except for the dead guy in my last post) and my partner has some power of veto over what photo of our son I use.
That reminds me of when I went to Safeway to get some juice boxes. I bought all sorts of things but ended up leaving without the one thing I went there for.
I don’t come for the pictures, baby, I come for the personality.
The truth about this for me is that I don’t really give a rat’s ass what people do or don’t do on their blogs. I either like it or I don’t.
I’m in mood today so I can say this without guilt: What the fuck is wrong with people that makes them believe that things other people do that do not have any effect on their lives are any of their damn business? Just shut the fuck up and tend to your own life — wankers. (I’m taking about “those people” of course, not you).
Finn’s last blog post..Friday Freewrite Four
It was an example…lmao. You haven’t posted half naked, but some people do hehe.
Sarcastica’s last blog post..There is a fire in your eyes & I hope you let it burn
your last 3 paragraphs to frye made me so happy. so i am not the only one who thought she would die of embarrassment when my mother told all of our huge family that i got my first period?! huh! and i am not the only one who hated those damn photos?! yay! i appreciate the company at that table you mentioned.
gotta tell you though, it was great to hear (read?) the confidence in the last paragraph. because you are a smart woman who is a good mudder. i am glad to read that you admit it!
(over 50 comments? already? damn, girl…you hit a hot button!)
Wow, okay, I didn’t mean for you to take my comment quite so personally. Except for using your family’s names as an example of my thinking, it really wasn’t pointed at you.
There’s a vast difference between confiding in your friends of the cute or stupid things that your kids do and telling the world, not just as it exists today, but in a way that will be around for many years to come. IN NO WAY am I saying that you’re being a bad mother by doing this, but even the best of intentions and the best plans go awry.
I’m not saying that people shouldn’t ever put pictures of their kids online, I’m not saying that people shouldn’t use real names. All I’m saying is that I feel concern when I see a lot of information made available about children who have no chance to consent to that. I blog about my kid from time to time, but there’s no way that people are going to find his information when they google his (not at all common) name. Not friends, not future girlfriends, not future employers.
That said, if someone really wanted to, they could find his (or my) name and the city we live in. Because I don’t have a land line, chances are slim that anyone could use that information to physically find where I live.
I’m not trying to create fear for you. Frankly, I think that living in fear is a lot more detrimental to kids than learning to live in a world that is sometimes a little scary. That said, I am ALWAYS concerned when people freely give out information about their children online, especially when they also have strong opinions.
It’s concern. It’s not condemnation and, honestly, if the question hadn’t been asked, I never would have said a thing about it. It’s not my place to tell you how you run your blog or your life or your family.
But if you ask me (or, you know, put it to the general public) what I think, then I’m going to tell you the truth.
FyreGoddess’s last blog post..Vacation in a nutshell
I apologize if this has already been said, because I didn’t read through all the comments.
I think in general there shouldn’t be an issue with posting pictures. I mean that is what you are comfortable with. I have heard of bloggers taking down pictures of their kids because child porn sites were hitting their blog. I can understand why those people would do that too. I think it is a personal judgement call. It isn’t like you have “Here’s my address, here’s our Social Security numbers….” all over your blog. You’re a good mom, you try to keep your kids safe, but I really don’t see what’s wrong with showing off your kids. I post pictures of my nephew now and then. Now, your questions….
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
I have no problems with it, and in fact, even had a photo blog once. I love pictures on my blog.
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
No.
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
I have no problem with it, and enjoy seeing other people’s pictures! (I would have a problem if I see pictures a parent or someone posting pictures of a 4 year old dressed only in a thong posing like a playboy playmate, though.)
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
I haven’t really thought much of it, honestly. I know some people like to share, others don’t.
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
I haven’t been in the situation where I can answer that honestly.
Lynda’s last blog post..Happy S.A.D.
I have kids and talk about them in my blog. I use pictures of them even video and I do it because they are part of my life…. I don’t use their real names because I was asked not to by my incredibly paranoid husband, Fun Daddy (how paranoid is he, you might ask? To wit: He will not put a bumper sticker for a political candidate on the car because he is concerned that someone would go after us because of our choice… crazy. Yes!) But I never criticize anyone for including or not. It is just another way of doing things.
Any one that gives you shit about how you go about your business should be told to kiss your ass (or anything else that you would like)
Maman’s last blog post..So beautiful
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
I love sharing pictures, They’re often used to illustrate or enhance what’s being said .. or just because I find them cute and want to show and tell
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
No.. but I wouldn’t post a picture of someone else’s child (say a classmate) without permission.
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
If it’s a cute picture (or funny) but not mean-spirited… I say go for it!
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
It’s a personal choice that we all entitled to make, so I assume nothing.
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix? I don’t use my blog for advertising save promoting a charity or something, but of someone wants to.. that’s their right. The fact that they post personal pics also is irrelevant.
You know.. if someone doesn’t like something, they can always hit the next blog button or just stop coming.
Anndi’s last blog post..may peace and comfort come…
Penelope: that was an awesome response. :rock:
SleepyNita: maybe I’ve just been really lucky in not encountering real freaks.
Stanleybot: interesting…
Finn: LOL, whew, thank God there is a back up for my bad ass pictures.
You know, I do have to admit that because I put it out there, I kind of MAKE it their business.
I just always assume that they’ll see what I mean and not some other intentions. Which – again – naive.
Sarcastica: whew! Was afraid Adam had hacked the blog again!
hellohahanarf: no, there is plenty of room at this table. And also? :heartbeat:
FyreGoddess: :blush:
Sorry – didn’t mean to spew at you.
I guess it’s a knee jerk defensive feeling. When someone says they are “concerned” for my kids, it instantly makes me want to push back. Hard. And tell you I’m doing just FINE taking care of my kids THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
But I did ask you. And I’m glad you shared your honest opinion. And here.. you can have your head back now.
(I need a handing head back smiley)
Lynda: I don’t think anyone wants my SS# anyway. It’s not worth shit.
Maman: if my husband asked me not to use their names or their pictures, I would definitely be OK.
He’s like me. We both just assume no one is going to give that big of a shit about us one way or the other. LOL
Anndi: OK, I’ll admit, some of the pictures I’ve posted of my husband were done in a mean spirit.
But a FUNNY mean spirit. Like a south pole elf.
Personally…I think it’s cute that you post those pictures of your family along with the cute stories. You have a great knack for storytelling through photos especially. Like all the comments while hilighting hubbies hair. Has he recovered from that yet?? LOL
This is YOUR blog….and we all have a choice to read it/look at the photos or not. Do what makes you happy….I know I’ll keep reading
Rachel’s last blog post..All over the place…
Anndi: OK, I’ll admit, some of the pictures I’ve posted of my husband were done in a mean spirit.
But a FUNNY mean spirit. Like a south pole elf.
Funny mean spirit is ok.. LOL
Anndi’s last blog post..may peace and comfort come…
Every picture I use, I ask permission. I babysit and sometimes I post pictures of the kids. BUT! I always get permission and show the pics to mom first. Real names? Not really, but if it’s not a secret? Sure, I’ll use them.
I don’t mind seeing them on other people’s blogs. I like the feeling of friends and family that is conveyed.
Ads? I don’t care. Sometimes I’ll check them out. I think if you can make a buck by doing something you already do, then great. I think we’re all old enough to know that.
It all boils down to “Your blog,Your rules!”
metalmom’s last blog post..Freewrite #4
You know what? It does not make it their business. This is your blog. They need to shut up.
Finn’s last blog post..Friday Freewrite Four
I would never call anyone a whore, now ho, all the time.
I put pictures of people on my blog, including my kids.
See previous answer.
It is a free country, if someone is going to track down me and my kids by my blog, they were trying to find me anyway.
None.
No.
maninthekitchen’s last blog post..OK what do you want?
How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
*Britt, I have four kids and I post their pictures constantly. Not only do I post their pictures, but I have shown their naked asses on more than a hundred occasions. I once ran a slide show of my bare assed family at famous locations. My thing is that I don’t post my address and so my children are safe. At least safe from any predator who may decide he likes the ass of my two ear old because he can’t find her. I cannot say the same in the real world because my children could be snatched from school by a pervert. I don’t see posting your children’s pictures as dangerous so long as you don’t offer them up to molesters by giving out your home address. I love seeing pictures of people with their families in their blogs. I love to see everyone’s lives.
Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
**No! You are their Mama and you will keep them safe. Showing them on your blog is safer than taking them to the store. It’s ridiculous.
How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
**So long as they don’t include an address and some measurements…LOL.
What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
**I make no judgements. Why would I?
Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
**What? Really? Like commercial advertising? I suppose it were to depend on what is being advertised. And also the person’s personal ideals. I think in general, people need to lighten up a bit.
Kyra/the108′s last blog post..and the winners are….
I have a feeling I know how this came about because it was done to me, too. It’s all about the jealousy, so consider it a compliment.
I love that you put yourself out there and share your life…all of your life…with us. I’m the same way with my kids and our identities. No last names, but no Sue Doe Nyms either.
Keep being who you are. There’s not a thing wrong with how you’re running your blog!
BlondeBlogger’s last blog post..My Sophie Pup
I will just say that I love that you invite us into your life. I will really love it when it extends into that swinger’s weekend we’ve been trying to talk you guys into.
Mr. Fabulous’s last blog post..Today I settle all family business…
Yep. In fact, that’s what Fab says to me all the time. That and I get my hackles up.
You and I are so alike, I think, Britt. I really appreciate you for sticking up for me when I get my feathers ruffled on Fab’s blog. So any hate mail you get, you send it my way and I will dispose of those fuckers in a hurray.
Shelli’s last blog post..Love It; Hate It
The pics of your kids dont bother me… but I found this blog by google-ing “boobs” so I guess I do feel disappointed.
Oh yeah, and I think I need a copy of Sarcastica’s favorites list.
Or a hurry, even.
Shelli’s last blog post..Love It; Hate It
I came across this and just wanted to give a quick opinion from my side of the fence. I had to tackle the idea of anonymity on my blog when I had started since Erik’s ex was stalking me. I started off with a nickname but personally I felt I had to be myself. I realized there is nothing anyone can really do to you online other than harass you. I open myself up but try not to give too many personal details just to be on the safe side. I also don’t mention Erik’s daughter because his ex would flip a shit the moment I did. I think posting pictures of your children and their names is that person’s decision and that person deals with any possible consequences as I deal with consequences if the ex goes nutty on me.
I’m not sure I made any sense, what was I talking about?
Robin’s last blog post..Happy Me
call me dense, but i don’t see how it could ever be construed as exploitive. is the idea that if you post pics of your kids you drive traffic to your blog? because in my experience it’s just the opposite, actually—loads of kids pictures define a blog as a “mommy blog” and that garners a certain demographic only.
so based on that, any time i see pics of your family i know it’s just you, being Britt, and sharing to the extent that you like to. personally i don’t ever show my kid on my blog, because i’m a privacy freak. but i don’t judge anybody else, because it’s a matter of preference, is all.
you’re proud of your babies. show ‘em off, hon.
Crys’s last blog post..Happy happy joy joy (and all)
Somebody has already said it but I agree…
Your blog your choice.
There are gonna be weird fucked (scuse language) up people on the planet no matter how careful you are and from what ive read you dont post anything to seek any more attention than any other bloggers who post family pics ook your less anon than some but hey you’ve got more of a grasp on who you are than us and congrats to you
I like your blog you do a damn fine job an Im sure your an awesome wife an mom an posting family pics doesnt detract from that
I don’t post pics of my kids faces and it took me over 2 years to post my own. What can I say, I’m shy.
Or maybe it’s the back acne.
Kimberly’s last blog post..Valentine…Oh, Valentine!
Rachel: He loves his highlights.
Anndi: whew!
metalmom: I don’t ask the kids’ permission – but they’re my kids. LOL And my husband… well “warn” is probably a better word than “ask”.
Finn: heh – as do I probably.
maninthekitchen: funny thing is if you googled me, this blog wouldn’t be the most embarrassing thing to come up.
Kyra/the108: you should be the mascot for the Lighten Up movement.
Well – you and Fab.
BlondeBlogger: I don’t think it’s jealousy – I really try not to assume that people are sitting around wishing they were me.
Maybe because I know what that’s really like. LOL
Mr. Fab: only if you take Jared.
Shelli: yep – parallel lives, I’m tellin’ ya!
Y2K Survivor: liar.
Now if you said you got here looking for “vagina pictures” or “lost tampon”… I’d believe you.
Robin: you do a really good job of sharing your life and making people feel connected while still maintaining a safe privacy line.
Crys: hearing your daughter is enough to tell she is awesome.
And I just assume she’s adorable like you.
L: well thank you.
And yeah, I think the reason I don’t worry is because I figure if someone WANTS to find me badly enough – there are other ways they can do it, regardless of what I do.
Kimberly: put guacamole on that. Clear it right up. :angel:
ok ok ok I lied on how I got here… do you believe I am honest about feeling disappointed at not seeing boobs? ….I am cool with not seeing the lost tampon though.
Here are the short answers:
1) Pictures in general are nice. Whether they are of people, inanimate objects, or cartoons I’m good with visuals.
2) Up to the parents. If they are YOUR kids, then you should be able to do as you wish… as long as you realize that by doing so it does expose their image to some not so nice people who may exploit said image with photoshop. You need to understand and be willing to take that chance.
3) Not too sure about this question or what its getting to. I would feel the same about another blog the way I feel here. It’s up to that blogger. Now if its another blog USING your pictures with no other reason than to use them… that’s a whole different story…
4) None. I think it’s a personal choice to either share photos or not to share photos and one’s own comfort level with sharing photos. I did over 100 posts without posting a picture of myself… and I honestly don’t remember if that was on purpose or because I just didn’t have a photo I liked.
5) Absolutely it changes. Advertising changes everything. The reasons will become clearer on Monday…
NYCWD’s last blog post..Seven
Y2K: I believe all of that.
NYCWD: What I meant by that is if, let’s say, you decide to not do pictures on your own site for privacy issues, etc. – what do you think about bloggers who make a different choice.
And now I am scared.
It took a lot of adjusting and standing up for what I felt was fair.
Robin’s last blog post..Happy Me
NYCWD said just what I was thinking…
It is your choice. I don’t see why anyone should make it their business!
badkelly’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #16
Oh, okay… I think I understand… although I think its the same question asked twice. I think that if I chose to kept my personal image off my blog… but others posted theirs… I would think nothing less of them because it is in fact their choice… and in fact I tend to think I might even think more of them for being brave enough to do so, although I can understand why someone would think it is a completely stupid and insane thing to do… especially after the whole Kathy Sierra/Chris Locke thing… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ6IxYaD774
Don’t be afraid… just be prepared to understand EXACTLY why I feel the way I do
NYCWD’s last blog post..Oh Noessss!!!
Hello – you’ve probably had enough answers to this already. 80odd comments! Still I would like to contribute.
I feel comfortable posting pictures of people on my blog as long as they know I am going to do it. If they object when tell them, then I won’t post them. I like to put photos up of real people but don’t often do it.
I would not put pictures of kids on my blog because I don’t have any of my own. My pupils and Brownies are of course a no-go (especially as around 50% of the parents refused permission to use photos even in papers and Guiding publications). I don’t have many friends with kids.
I like to see your family. And the same applies to many of my blogging friends. I also dislike the idea though that the images could be misused. I am a bit trusting generally so I don’t like to believe that it actually happens…
I suppose if you post photos I assume you’re comfortable with yourself. And therefore probably fairly self-confident.
I don’t make assumptions if there are no photos. It isn’t something I really notice.
If there are NO photos, but a lot of advertising… then I’d be a bit wary and probably wouldn’t be reading. Otherwise it wouldn’t change my opinion.
Now I am going to read the rest of your comments, as this interested me but I didnt want to be influenced when responding.
TopChamp’s last blog post..Fun and Games
Robin: that makes sense – I think my blogging has changed a lot since I started too… adjusting and what not.
badkelly: no one really made it their business, I was just curious about people’s opinions. Thank you!
NYCWD: yeah, I’ve seen that. I have heard the stories – I know, I really do.
TopChamp: everyone’s opinion counts – thank you!!
I enjoy seeing pictures of you and your family on your blog. I have no problem with ads either. You’re a gifted writer and your blog is very popular. I see nothing wrong in making $$$ doing something you enjoy. :cheese:
Geeky Tai-Tai’s last blog post..We Had a Very SPECIAL Visitor!
Thank you.
* How do you feel in general about pictures of people on YOUR blog?
I put my kids up, but I do not throw out their names – because of my husband. He was not comfortable with me doing that, and I honored his wishes.
* Does that change if we’re talking about kids?
See above.
* How do you feel about pictures of people/kids on OTHER PEOPLE’S blog?
I like looking at who I’m reading about.
* What assumptions do you make about a blogger based on whether or not they share pictures?
It makes me question if I should take mine down. Although, I must say, I’ve had a “stalker” issue on my blog in the past and it did make me very uncomfortable. I did take my pictures down for awhile. When I see someone not sharing pictures, it puts me back in that mindset.
* Do any of those opinions change somehow if advertising is thrown into the mix?
I’m not one for advertising, but I just ignore it. It doesn’t make me think poorly of anyone.
Lisa’s last blog post..Explanation/Update